Which Should You Buy?

[Allame]

msi rx480 gaming x8g or msi rx480 armor
whats different?

 

[maxalge]

msi rx480 gaming x8g or msi rx480 armor
whats different?

the gaming x has a much better cooler

 

[Jwpanz]

I think the only difference is the cooling and shroud and the base clock.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

They both use the same PCB....

-As I recall, the Gaming App (provided 3 auto OC settings) doesn't function on the Armor... you can however adjust both with Afterburner

-There are also differences in LED presence / functionality between models

-There are small differences in fan noise and temps

You can compare here:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?CompareItemList=%2D1%7C14%2D137%2D048%5E14%2D137%2D048%2C14%2D137%2D023%5E14%2D137%2D023

For comparison, TPU reviewed the 1060 models of both:

30 Armor dbA https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1060_Armor/29.html
28 Gaming X dbA https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1060_Gaming_X/23.html

69C Gaming X https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1060_Gaming_X/28.html
74C Armor https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1060_Armor/34.html